Infant{40 s crib and dressing table combination

ABSTRACT

A mobile crib-dressing table combination formed substantially by two respective pairs of side panels and end members fitted together. Of the two side panels, one is fixed and the other is hingedly and pivotally attached at four points to the end members. Access to the interior of the crib is made possible by release of the upper two hinge members and urging the side panel to and away from the crib about lower pivot pins. Conversion of the crib to a dressing table is readily possible by release of the lower two hinge members and pivoting of the side panel about upper pivot pins into the crib interior. To insure a positive fit, grooves are provided in the end members to engage the upper pivot pins of the side panel. Normal position of the crib is achieved by reversing the above steps. The infant on the dressing table is enclosed on three sides to provide relative safety for the child. A pair of wheels provided at one end together with suitable stop means and handles, permit movement and positioning of the crib from room to room.

United States Patent [1 1 Saxe [451 Mar. 5, 1974 1 INFANT 'S CRIB AND DRESSING TABLE COMBINATION [76] Inventor: Herbert K. Saxe, 302 W. 79th St.,

New York, NY. 10024 [22] Filed: June 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 260,855

[52] US. Cl. 5/2, 5/93 R [51] Int. Cl. A47d 11/00, A47b 83/00 [58] Field of Search 5/2, 92-94, 98, 5/99, 317; 312/250, 307, 322

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,427,666 2/1969 Saxe 5/93 R 3,656,195 4/1972 Leahey..... 5/99 R 1,985,189 12/1934 Moore 312/322 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 131,991 9/1932 Austria 5/93 R Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg [57] ABSTRACT A mobile crib-dressing table combination formed substantially by two respective pairs of side panels and end members fitted together. Of the two side panels, one is fixed and the other is hingedly and pivotally attached at four points to the end members. Access to the interior of the crib is made possible by release of the upper two hinge members and urging the side panel to and away from the crib about lower pivot pins. Conversion of the crib to a dressing table is readily possible by release of the lower two hinge members and pivoting of the side panel about upper pivot pins into the crib interior. To insure a positive fit, grooves are provided in the end members to engage the upper pivot pins of the side panel. Normal position of the crib is achieved by reversing the above steps. The infant on the dressing table is enclosed on three sides to provide relative safety for the child. A pair of wheels provided at one end together with suitable stop means and handles, permit movement and positioning of the crib from room to room.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures INFANT'S CRIB AND DRESSING TABLE COMBINATION The present invention is directed to an improved crib arrangement having means to convert such crib into a dressing-table. More particularly, my invention is directed to a mobile and structurally stable crib having at least one moving side panel adapted to fit into the upper portion of the crib to thereby, form a dressingtable. Unlike other combinations of this type of convertible crib, such as disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,666; the present invention provides several important and distinct advantages. Safety of the child is achieved by assuring placement of the baby on a dressing-table enclosed on three sides with the fourth side being only partially open to afford access to the child. Furthermore, by proper placement of the side panel into the crib body for use as the dressing-table, the child lays in a position which is only about 36 inches above floor level, making access quite simple, safe and convenient. When not in use as a changing table, the side portion sits in place and is hingedly secured and pivotally movable with respect to the end members, so as to complete the crib structure. The hinge members serve to allow the crib side panel to be released from the front and rotated inwardly into the body of the crib; or if necessary, downwardly to the lower portion and at the side of the crib structure. A pair of recessed tracks in the end members, serve to receive a pair of pivot pins extending from the side members respectively, to fix and position such side panel as a changing table. In addition, a pair of disk members can be fixed on the center portions of the end members facing inside the crib to act as supports when the side panel is in the dressingtable position.

The interior of the side panel can be appropriately padded to protect the child when on the dressing-table; as well as, provided with an optional safety belt for securing the child to the table. When not in use as a dressing-table, the side panel is moved to its normal crib position and fixed to positively fit in place.

The number of working members in my invention when compared to prior art, is quite few. Furthermore, the several pivot points integral with the crib structure, associated movable side panel, and integral support means, enables the conversion of the crib by simple release of a hinging mechanism. Various positive fitting hinging arrangements, well known to the art, can similarly be employed to assure a strong positive fit between the side panel and the end members.

My invention also contemplates the use of two or more wheels at one end of the structure for movement from room to room, and pair of stops disposed at the end opposite the wheels, to enable the crib to sit in place without shifting. A pair of handles or other suitable means are attached to the upper portion of the structure, in line with the stops for the purpose of raising the crib off the fioor and moving it when required.

My improved combination includes a very unique crib combination with features which have utility, as well as structural integrity, compactness, can be quickly opened and closed, and readily moved from room to room.

A review of the prior art clearing fails to disclose my new and novel invention, in which one side panel is pivotally and hingedly attached .to the body of the crib structure at designated points; to thereby, enable such side panel to swing downwardly to allow access to the infant in the crib; and if desired, to have such side panel pivot upwardly and back into the crib proper to form a dressing-table.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,007 is directed to a rectangular shaped cabinet having a purality of drawers with compartments. A bed on the upper surface is provided and is convertible into an infants crib by the addition of side frames and the removal of the cabinet with drawers.

Other prior art patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,888,687; 2,870,459; and 1,827,687; discuss furniture units having one or more combinations integral therewith. However, in all instances, my improved inventive concept as discussed herein is not anticipated. To further illustrate, U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,687 discloses a combination crib, bathtub and dressing-table. The dressingtable comprises a frame which is secured to the crib to permit movement relative thereto. As described in this patent, when the dressing-table is in the horizontal orientation, pivoted legs must be swung into the vertical position in order to support the table. Such combination is quite different and not directed toward the same safe, compact, and readily convertible crib-table combination covered by my invention. My improved pivotally mounted side panel adapted to swing'downwardly or upwardly depending on the intended use of the present invention is not disclosed.

Other references which I have also considered and which also fail to show the features of my invention, include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,127,620, 2,726,913, and 2,662,231.

My invention contemplates a mobile infant cribdressing table structural combination comprising: a body portion having a pair of end panels; an enclosed crib portion adapted to receive a mattress or the like, being substantially formed by a pair of matching side panels secured to said end panels; and releasable hinging means connecting one of said panels at two or more points to said end panels enabling such side panel to pivotally move with respect to said end panels.

Also within the scope of my invention is a mobile infant crib-dressing table combination structure wherein said end panels are each provided with an arcuate groove adapted to receive a first pivot means disposed on the lower portion of said side panel and second pivot means mounted at the upper portion of said side panel in line with said first pivot means.

Accordingly, it is the main object of the present invention to provide an improved crib-dressing table combination which overcomes the defects of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a crib-dressing table combination having a pivotally hinged side panel adapted to be moved upwardly or downwardly from an attached position to provide for either dressing table or crib use respectively.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a crib-dressing table combination which both assures child safety and provides adequate support and enclosure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mobile crib-dressing table combination which is space saving, easy to handle and less expensive than similar prior art arrangements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved crib-changing table combination incorporating a lesser number of working parts than heretofore.

Other objects which are characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention illustrated "and described herein as embodied in a crib-dressing table combination with a hingedly connected side'panel attached the body, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and struc tural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of the equivalents of the claims.

The construction and operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the side panel of the crib-table combination held in its normal position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with the side panel placed in the dressing-table position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention with the side panel in the lowered position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the end member of the structure using an alternate embodiment for engaging the side with the end of the crib.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the end member and side panel being held in place.

According to FIG. 1, the present invention includes a basic crib provided with a pair of matching end panels 1, adapted to fit with two side panels 2a, 2b; each of the panels have a series of cut outs 3 which provides openings out of which a child in the crib can peer out into the room. The side panel 2a is integral and fixed to the end panels 1 and unlike 2b, it is not movable. However, side panel 2b, is held in place by a series of hinge members 4, i.e., spring loaded, which are suitably positioned at four points on the side panel 2b, this is the normal position for use as a crib.

The end panels 1 are provided with a pair grooved portions 5, which mate with a spring loaded privot member 6, of hinge the member 4. For use as a dressing-table, the side panel 2b is pivotally rotated about upper pivot member 6, and swung upwardly 180 into grooves 5 to sit and fit positively in the end panel 1.

For access to the infant in the crib from the normal crib position; the side panel 2b is lowered by releasing the upper pivot members 4 and the side panel 2b is lowered to the side of the crib structure by rotating such side panel about lower pivot points 7 (see FIG. 3).

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, this includes, a pair of lower pivot points 7 on the side panel 2b which ride within a grooved portion on the end panel 1 (see FIG. 4). Rather than having separate releasably hinged pivots, as in FIG. 1, the embodiment in FIG. 4, enables movement without the need for sepa-' rate release members. Simultaneous release of upper hinge pivots 4 and lower pivots 7 in groove 15, coupled with an upward movement of the released side panel 212 into the upper portion of the crib structure, forms the dressing-table (see FIG. 2). Obviously, a reversal of the steps mentioned above, places the side panel 2b back to its normal crib position (see FIG. 1).

A release of the upper two hinge members 4 and pivoting about the lower pivot points 7 results in the lowering of the side panel 2b about such pivots to the side of the structure for access to the child in the crib. A reversal of the steps and proper engagement and seating of the upper pivots 6 results in a positive fit of the side panel 2b with respect to the end member 1, thus forming the normal position of crib structure.

Alternate buttressing for the side panel 212 can be provided by a suitable support 8 (FIG. 3) fixed to each end panel at a point which is below and central of the side panel 2b when such side panel 2b is in the dressingtable position. The side panel 2b when positioned as a dressing table (FIG. 2), provides an arrangement which surrounds the baby on three sides and is approximately 36 inches above the floor, making it quite convenient for attending to the baby without fear the child tumbling out. The side panel 2b can be provided with padded material (not shown) on the side which is in contact with the child, as well as, with an optional safety belt 13. In the lowered position (FIG. 3), the bed portion 9 of the crib is sufficiently below such lowered side panel to provide some additional measure of protection to the child.

The crib proper rests upon a pair of wheels 10 at one end, and a pair of stop members 11 at the other end. Handles 12 disposed above the stop members 11 are fixedly attached to the central portion of the crib and act as a means by which one can raise the crib off the floor for movement from room to room. Below the crib area or bed portion'9, suitable storage shelf areas are provided which are accessable through a hingable door 14.

I claim:

1. A mobile infant crib-dressing table structural combination comprising: a body portion having a pair of end panels; an enclosed crib portion adapted to receive a mattress or the like, being substantially formed by a pair of matching side panels secured to said end panels;

and releasable hinging means connecting one of said panels at two or more points to said end panels, wherein release of said hinging means from said movable side panel permits selective movement of such side panel from its normal crib position to a position of rest inward of said crib in a horizontal plane or downwardly to the side of said crib enabling easy access interior of said crib.

2. A mobile infant crib-dressing table structural combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side panel is hingedly connected to said end panels at two points near the top edge and two points near the lower edge prespectively, to thereby form a double hinge arrange ment adapted to permit said side panel to alternately swing downwardly and upwardly as desired.

3. A mobile infant crib dressing table structural combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein downward movement of said side panel permits easy access to the infant in the crib and upward movement of said side panel back into said crib position forms a dressing table surrounded on three sides.

4. A mobile infant crib-dressing table combination structure as claimed in claim 1, wherin said first pivot means is spring loaded, and release of such means allows said side panel to be urged into the body portion of said structure by pivoting said side panel about said upper pivot means, for engagement of said lower pivot 6 means into said respective arcuate groove portions and wardly to the side of said structure. thereby formmg a dressing table- 6. A mobile infant crib-dressing table combination 5. A mobile infant crib-dressing table combination structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein access to the d k interior of the crib structure is attained by releasing 5 pwot means are lspose to n e m means said upper pivot means to enable said side panel to Provided in Said end memberspivot about said lower pivot means to swing downstructure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower 

1. A mobile infant crib-dressing table structural combination comprising: a body portion having a pair of end panels; an enclosed crib portion adapted to receive a mattress or the like, being substantially formed by a pair of matching side panels secured to said end panels; and releasable hinging means connecting one of said panels at two or more points to said end panels, wherein release of said hinging means from said movable side panel permits selective movement of such side panel from its normal crib position to a position of rest inward of said crib in a horizontal plane or downwardly to the side of said crib enabling easy access interior of said crib.
 2. A mobile infant crib-dressing table structural combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side panel is hingedly connected to said end panels at two points near the top edge and two points near the lower edge prespectively, to thereby form a double hinge arrangement adapted to permit said side panel to alternately swing downwardly and upwardly as desired.
 3. A mobile infant crib-dressing table structural combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein downward movement of said side panel permits easy access to the infant in the crib and upward movement of said side panel back into said crib position forms a dressing table surrounded on three sides.
 4. A mobile infant crib-dressing table combination structure as claimed in claim 1, wherin said first pivot means is spring loaded, and release of such means allows said side panel to be urged into the body portion of said structure by pivoting said side panel about said upper pivot means, for engagement of said lower pivot means into said respective arcuate groove portions and thereby forming a dressing table.
 5. A mobile infant crib-dressing table combination structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein access to the interior of the crib structure is attained by releasing said upper pivot means to enable said side panel to pivot about said lower pivot means to swing downwardly to the side of said structure.
 6. A mobile infant crib-dressing table combination structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower pivot means are disposed to ride within track means provided in said end members. 